“Come, Louis, you must do your share of the work in handling the vessel, and I shall soon make a sailor of you,” said Captain Scoble, in a more pliable tone than he had used to him before. “No, I thank you, Captain Scoble; I prefer not to be a sailor on board of this schooner,” replied Louis firmly, but in a gentle tone. “At your old tricks, are you?” demanded the captain, scowling maliciously at the passenger. “I must decline to do anything to assist you and your crew in carrying off my mother,” answered the brave young man. “I don’t intend to argue the point with you any more than with the mate,” said Scoble, who had been beaten in the discussion with Frinks. “I have no desire to argue the point, and shall not insist upon doing so,” replied Louis, moving away from the stateroom door, for he was afraid his mother would be disturbed. “I am the master of the vessel, and all on board of her obey my orders,” retorted Scoble, following the boy farther aft, as though he intended to enforce his command. “I have nothing to say,” added the passenger, not desiring to irritate his tyrant if he could avoid doing so, though that was an almost hopeless task. “I have something to say, you young rascal!” “Say it if you wish; I do not object.” “I ordered you to go on deck.” “I am aware that you did; but I did not go.” “For cool impudence, you beat all the boys I ever knew!” exclaimed Scoble, who seemed to be a little bewildered for the moment. “Do you think my impudence will compare with yours? You ask me to assist in carrying off my own mother,” added Louis, as quietly as though he had been in the squire’s parlor. At that moment the Maud gave a lee lurch, and the passenger could hear the water pouring in over the bulwarks. Captain Scoble did not stay to bandy any more compliments with his opponent, but rushed on deck, though even Louis did not apprehend any serious danger. Mrs. Belgrave was not alarmed; and her son went part way up the steps to see what was the matter. The sea looked more angry than when he had last seen it; but he had been out in a rougher time on board the Blanche. “Put on the hatches, Stowin!” shouted the captain as soon as he reached the deck and saw that the water was pouring down the hatchway into the steerage. “Why didn’t you have the hatches put on before this time, Mr. Frinks?” Louis did not hear the reply, if there was any, but retreated to the cabin. His mother was not disturbed by any fears, and he answered all her questions. “It was a lucky sea that made them close the hatches, mother; and now I am going to see if I can find Captain Ringgold and Felix,” said Louis, anxious to do something for their release. “Be very careful, my son, won’t you?” pleaded Mrs. Belgrave. “Certainly, I will; I am always careful.” “Don’t provoke Scoble if you can possibly avoid it.”